A Heated Debate Between Two Charismatic Geniuses: A Cardinal Fan (Jeff Lung) and a Tiger Fan (Allen Krause)

Trever Miller: More than Just a Baseballer

Sometimes my unbridled enthusiasm for all things baseball blinds me from realizing that the very people I am rooting, booing and screaming for are actual human beings — real folks with real problems, real desires, emotions and dreams. Taking a step back, getting to know who these baseball players really are on an individual level can be just as rewarding as watching them perform on the diamond.

And such is the case with St. Louis Cardinals reliever, Trever Miller.

I would be a liar if I didn’t admit to cursing Miller’s name on more than one occasion. While he’s ordinarily a pretty solid solid arm out of the bullpen, there have been times when he got himself in trouble, leaving me throwing things at the television, begging him to go back to Tampa.

For that I am ashamed. And sorry. After all, it is just a game… and the game is there to help us deflect attention from our real world obstacles. Let us never forget that.

Trever Miller is a runner. I found this out recently as he was featured in the March 2011 issue of Runner’s World; and his story is as heartbreaking as it is empowering. As the article reports, Miller began running in the offseason as a way to stay fit, but it soon became a passion. And once he began taking his daughter, Grace, who suffers from a rare chromosomal disorder that has left her paralyzed and mute, on his regular runs by pushing her in a special stroller that weighs 100 pounds, he found that running offered he and his daughter a communal joy that couldn’t be found anywhere else.

As a runner myself, I can relate to that indescribable high that is experienced through the sport. But I will never know the obstacles, the pains, the seemingly insurmountable adversity that Miller and his family have endured in recent years.

Trever Miller is no longer just a baseball player for a team that I love; he’s a guy who loves to run, just like me, a man who has found ways to stay positive despite debilitating setbacks, and he’s a father whose love for his child knows no limit.

He’s a goddamn hero.

That’s what he is.

And for that, I tip my cap.

Peace,

Jeff

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11 Comments

“The game is there to help us deflect attention from our real world obstacles.” Ain’t that the truth! Miller’s story is very inspiring – what a great dad! – and I am glad you shared it with us.
I don’t think you should be ashamed of cursing his name from time to time. Part of loving a team is swearing loudly about the players on occasion. It’s kind of like giving your friends “a hard time” (she says in deference to MLBlogs delicate sensibilities). You wouldn’t do it if you didn’t love ‘em, and finding out they’ve come from tough circumstances doesn’t change that.
Kristenhttp://blithescribe.mlblogs.com/

Great story, Jeff. I’d rather read this than all the bad stuff in this sport that seems to get focused on. Being a parent is hard, I can only imagine how hard it would be with a child with this type of illness. Bonding with his daughter like this is priceless. It makes her feel loved and safe. All the best to both of them.
–Mikehttp://burrilltalksbaseball.mlblogs.com

Jeff,
Trever was with the Rays when Grace was born. I remember how the Rays Republic embraced him and his wife Pari and said and did the right things for the couple. Trever has been a baseball friend for a long time. Always enjoy talking to him, but also love seeing him smile and talk about his daughter.
Some people I think are put on this earth to ground us. Show us what is really important…..Miller stands among that group with no equal.
I hope he has another great year in St. Louis.

Kristen — Putting in perspective, yeah, you’re right. I should probably just refrain from cursing the individual and wishing him ill-will ;-)
Mike — I’m sure it is hard, which is why I tip my cap to you, too, good sir!
RR — Well said, friend! Thanks for sharing!
–Jeff

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of loving or hating an athlete based simply on which team they play for. We need more stories that show the human side of them. I have to imagine it’s hard for players to be away from their families so much during the season, doubly so for Miller given his daughter’s illness and the pressures that must place on the rest of his family. Thanks for sharing his story with us.
Suehttp://rrrt.mlblogs.com/

Jane — Agreed. Gets me all warm n’ fuzzy!
Sue — You bet. What makes Miller’s story more interesting (to me anyway) is that he had to overcome some pretty big obstacles regarding how he dealt with stress in his own life… now everything is falling into place because of his willingness to deal with it. Very inspiring.
–Jeff

Very inspiring, Jeff! Good for Miller do something extraordinary for his children – and finding a way to use fitness as a way to do so. Not to mention, the 4:31 time isn’t bad with daughter in tow, either.

As Sue pointed out, we often forget about a player even if he wears a uniform that makes us cringe. For feats such as this, Trever’s definitely on my team – as are a few others who have shown good things outside of the clubhouse.

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